Mourners offer prayers for slain child

Hundreds gathered in front of a makeshift memorial in Ventura on Tuesday night with candles in their hands and sorrow in their hearts to say farewell to Alaina Stockdill, a little girl many had never met.

Kimberly Stockdill, grandmother of Alaina Stockdill, embraces Heavenly Silerio, Alaina’s best friend, Tuesday evening outside the Ventura apartment where the girl, 8, was found dead Monday. Her mother, Blair Stockdill, has been arrested in her death.

Rob Varela / Star staff

Sage Beltran holds a candle for Alaina Stockdill. The girl was in third grade, and many children attended the vigil Tuesday.

Hundreds of people gather at a candlelight vigil for Alaina Stockdill on Tuesday in Ventura. “She was such a sweet little girl,” said Deana Schmidt, who lived next door to Alaina and her mother.

Photos by Rob Varela / Star staff

Destiny Hester, left, and Raliccia Harper light candles at a vigil for Alaina Stockdill on Tuesday in Ventura.

Rob Varela / Star staff

Julianna Martinez attends a vigil for Alaina Stockdill, 8, on Tuesday evening outside the Ventura apartment where Alaina was found dead a day earlier.

Rob Varela / Star staff

Kimberly Stockdill, the grandmother of Alaina Stockdill, embraces mourners at a vigil for her granddaughter Tuesday in Ventura.

Rob Varela / Star staff

A mourner wipes away tears Tuesday at a vigil for Alaina Stockdill in Ventura. Alaina, 8, was found dead inside her apartment Monday. Her mother has been arrested in her death.

Rob Varela / Star staff

Katie Burt is comforted during a candlelight vigil for Alaina Stockdill, 8, on Tuesday evening in Ventura.

Rob Varela / Star staff

Children read notes written on a fence outside the Ventura apartment where Alaina Stockdill, 8, was found dead. A vigil for the girl was held Tuesday evening.